NFC East

Sporting News, The, Dec 9, 2005

DALLAS COWBOYS

LT Torrin Tucker has done an adequate job starting in place of Flozell Adams (knee). Tucker is athletic and has long arms, but his technique is inconsistent. At times he doesn't aggressively fire off the ball and winds up engulfed by the defensive end, who can push his way into the backfield.... DE Greg Ellis always was above average, but now he is surrounded by better players, which is allowing him to make more plays. Ellis has eight sacks, one short of his career high, and has been excellent on third down.... The knock on WR Peerless Price in Atlanta was that he wouldn't block, but he is contributing as a blocker for Dallas--as long as he is given an assignment he can handle. OVERACHIEVING: ILB Scott Shanle played so well in three games Dat Nguyen (neck) missed that Nguyen was demoted to backup. Shanle is solid in run defense because he attacks the line of scrimmage, a must in the 3-4 because he's not protected by linemen. UNDERACHIEVING: RG Marco Rivera has been average, in part because he missed much of training camp after back surgery. He doesn't have the explosion and drive that made him a premier player. He's getting by with guile.--Jean-Jacques Taylor

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

New LT Todd Herremans has excellent size (6-6,321) and a long wingspan, not unlike the man he's replacing, Tra Thomas (back surgery). Herremans, 23, was impressive as a run blocker in his first start; the coaches believe he has a bright future.... Rod Hood moved up from nickel back to replace CB Lito Sheppard, who is out for the season with an ankle injury. Hood is a good cover corner with decent speed. S Quintin Mikell is the new nickel back. Coordinator Jim Johnson likes Mikell's physical style and believes Mikell can handle slot receivers. OVERACHIEVING: Rookie DE Trent Cole missed spring minicamps because of an NCAA rule and part of training camp because of injuries. His playing time increased when starter N.D. Kalu was injured, and he has been productive ever since, collecting five sacks in his past four games. UNDERACHIEVING: SLB Dhani Jones, who got a $4 million signing bonus as a free agent in 2004, has not come close to adequately replacing Carlos Emmons (Giants). Jones has better speed than Emmons but does not use it as well. He is not good against tight ends in the running game, does not cover well and is only decent against the run.--Mark Eckel

NEW YORK GIANTS

Rookie RB Brandon Jacobs has had success as a short-yardage specialist but also needs more polish. He runs too high, and that prevents him from powering through the initial hit. At 6-4,256, Jacobs needs to lower his shoulders and blast his way through the line.... Though officials ruled TE Jeremy Shockey never had possession of a would-be reception in overtime against the Seahawks, he has greatly reduced his drops in key situations. Shockey has good size and power, but he should use his elusiveness to make defenders miss. That could lead to more big plays. He has improved as a blocker. OVERACHIEVING: WLB Nick Greisen has been a strong run stuffer as an injury fill-in for Barrett Green. A former middle linebacker, Greisen compensates for his lack of speed with good instincts and smart play. He delivers powerful hits. UNDERACHIEVING: CB Will Allen is looking for his first interception this season--after totaling just four picks the previous three years. He lacks instincts and isn't good at turning when the ball is in the air. Allen also has bad hands.--Ralph Vacchiano

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The classic blocking tight end that's so valuable in Joe Gibbs' running game is missing. Robert Royal hasn't been an overpowering and consistent blocker or a consistent receiver in the short passing game. Chris Cooley is a better blocker than people expect, but he's too valuable in the passing game to be used regularly as a blocker. Robert Johnson has excellent size (6-6,278) but still is developing.... The team should consider upgrading its depth behind DTs Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a. One of the backups, Ryan Boschetti, weighs 305 but seems out

of position. He might be better suited to lose 25 pounds and play end. OVERCHIEVING: SS Ryan Clark reads offenses well, closes quickly on run plays and explodes into ballcarriers. He is not as adept in pass coverage but jumps receivers quickly on short patterns and is a sure tackler who rarely gives up any yards after a catch. UNDERACHIEVING: CB Walt Harris is giving large cushions to speed receivers, and teams are completing passes underneath his coverage. His tackling problems have resulted in big gains on plays that should have been stopped short.--Paul Woody